Luke's Box

So, Friendly McFrienderton (my friend Luke) offers to drive me to the airport AND pick me up there next month whence I return. He just up and offered to do so! I told him I would repay him and decided that payment would be this box I made recently. There is nothing fancy on the inside which is why I didn’t add a photo of an empty cavity. The lid sits on the box frame with nothing more than a simple 1/4” X 1/4” rabbet. The design is straightforward and simple. 45 degree joints on the frame and a flush-mounted, glued-on bottom. Woods used are poplar for the lid and handle, maple for the box frame, and walnut for the bottom. I saw the piece of wood that I fashioned that handle with in the garbage at work and said, “Oh no! That little diamond in the rough is coming with me!” And so it did, and what you see before you on the screen are poplar colors at their finest. That’s why I love poplar so much even if it is considered a low-quality wood. Whatever. I do what I want! Oh, and I’ve been finishing a lot of my boxes recently with mineral oil. It’s quick, easy, seals the wood, and brings the wood to life.

Love this box. Simple elegance. You were right on the money about the handle scrap! It looks much better on that box than in a trash can. I am sure your friend will love it. Thanks for the tip on the mineral oil use.